Whitepapers

Study to Solutions: Healthcare

The Hobbs+Black Healthcare Studio is involved with the production of Study to Solutions, a research initiative for the use and knowledge of healthcare providers.

Vol. 1: HOSPITALity Ambulatory Care FacilitiesThis paper explores two ambulatory care centers for Oakwood Healthcare and was published in Volume 8 of The Academy Journal, by the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Health.

Vol. 2: Evidence -Based Design: An Investment in ExcellenceOur design of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute was recognized by the Center for Health Design as a Pebble Project. This piece explores the positive financial impact on the institutions which implement evidence based design.

Vol. 3: Historical Hospital Buildings: Should They Be Reused?This article investigates the various ways in which existing structures can be reused. Topics include determining appropriate space needs, façade enhancement or replacement, and the importance of long-range facility master planning.

Vol. 4: Medical Simulation: Designing for the FutureAs the use of medical simulation grows as a healthcare trend across the nation, healthcare institutions frequently need to find and convert existing spaces to accommodate the trend. This paper discusses how the design of these spaces can become an integral part of the advancement of medical simulation.

Vol. 5: Shaking Up the Process: An Improved Start to Integrated Project Delivery Provides a Better Return on InvestmentCommon implementation of the Integrated Project Delivery approach relies heavily on the traditional proposal process where the Owner seeks to contract professionals to carry out a pre-established building and program. What happens when the team is allowed from the start to respond to the RFP with creative solutions on achieving the project vision and goals? This piece outlines the process and outcome of one successful project for Oakwood Healthcare.

Vol. 6: A Shared Vision: Patients, Providers, & EconomicsThis research initiative examines Multi-disciplinary Diagnostic and Treatment Centers and how these spaces can improve the overall healthcare experience and return on investment.

Vol. 7: The Future of Ambulatory CareRecognizing the extensive change occurring in healthcare, facilities providing medicine are changing to match the services being provided. This article explores what is to come in Ambulatory Care.

Vol 8: Facilities with a FutureWhen Oakwood Healthcare (major healthcare system), Midwest Health Center (local provider), Redico (national real estate developer), and the City of Dearborn (local municipality) formed a partnership to develop a mixed-use complex on one of the city’s strategic properties, they looked past simple, one-step planning, and took into account more than just the needs of the healthcare system itself. This article describes how this approach created a facility not of the future, but with a future.

Vol. 9: Wellness Environments: More Than a Spa FeelToday’s outlook on patient care has changed from one of prevention to a more integrative/holistic healthy living approach. Development of Wellness Environments needs to take a similar holistic approach. Much has been written and discussed in regards to Evidence-Based Design in regards to the physical environment’s effect of the health of its inhabitants. Unfortunately thee lessons learned are often taken out of context and used in bits and pieces to create environments that do not fully realize the potential of otherwise successful concepts. Creating a complete environment in which concepts are tied together through the collected individual space to form a unified whole, is at the heart of Wellness Environments. We can create better healthcare buildings by implementing individual ideas in appropriate process/building/approach model. Using examples from Henry Ford Health System, Oakwood Health and community hospitals this holistic approach to Wellness Environments is explored.Today’s outlook on patient care has changed from one of prevention to a more integrative/holistic health approach, and the development of the corresponding wellness environments need to follow suit. Much has been written on the subject of Evidence-Based Design in regards to the physical environment’s effect on the health of its inhabitants, but unfortunately, the lessons learned are often taken out-of-context and used in bits and pieces to create environments that do not fully realize the potential of an otherwise successful concept. Creating a complete environment in which said concepts are tied together through the collected individual space to form a unified whole, is at the heart of wellness environments. We can create better healthcare buildings by implementing individual ideas in appropriate process/building/approach model. Using examples from Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, and community hospitals, this holistic approach is explored.

Study to Solutions: Education

The Hobbs+Black Education Studio is involved with the production of Study to Solutions, a research initiative for the use and knowledge of educational providers.

Vol. I: Instructional Delivery, Technology, and Architecture

Case Study

City Creek Center: The New Shopping Experience

Many growing cities struggle to adapt and even reconfigure their downtown to meet their residents’ needs and respond to changing times. Decades of suburban expansion can leave urban cores underutilized and outmoded. Aging utility infrastructure, vacant parcels or buildings, insufficient parking, and the need for a comprehensive vision are common elements that each municipality faces.